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06-25-2024 (Strategic Planning Session - Trasnportation and Mobility)STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION — TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY JUNE 25, 2024 - 3:45 P.M. MINUTES Members present: Mayor Gary Forcier called the session to order. Members present were Tim Burley, Dave Sebesta, Pat May and Chad Czmowski. Others present were Matt Jaunich, City Administrator and other city directors and staff. 1) Introduction to the Topic Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, explained that Transportation and Mobility is the City's Core Value Focus #3. This core value states that citizens, visitors and commerce move easily and safely throughout the city and region. Feedback from the community survey indicated that 63% rated the overall quality of the City's transportation system as excellent or good; 53% rated traffic flow on major streets as excellent or good; 70% rated the ease of public parking as excellent or good; 80% rated the ease of travel by car as excellent or good; 78% rated the ease of travel by bicycle as excellent or good; 84% rated the ease of walking as excellent or good; 88% rated the availability of paths and walking trails as excellent or good; 38% rated the ease of travel by public transportation as excellent or good; 43% rated street repair services as excellent or good; 68% rated street cleaning services as excellent or good; and 64% rated sidewalk maintenance services as excellent or good. There was an additional street tax question included on the community survey which asked residents how much of a property tax increase would they support or oppose if the revenue would be dedicated to fixing, repairing and upgrading city streets and related infrastructure and Mr. Jaunich shared those results. Resources used for Transportation and Mobility include the Light Traffic Plan, Transportation Plan, Complete Streets Policy, Airport Master Plan, Safe Routes to School Plan, McLeod County Trails Plan, Sidewalk & Trail Plan (Draft) and 2023 Bicycle Friendly Report Card. Mayor Forcier noted that he has heard comments from residents that Hutchinson's streets are the worst in state but they don't really compare them to any other specific cities. He also noted that residents say how much traffic there is on Main Street but in reality it is not that serious of a problem. He noted that some people have complained to him about roundabouts, however he feels drivers need to educate themselves on maneuvering roundabouts. Council Member May expressed that he drives through many smaller communities and Hutchinson's street conditions are excellent compared to what he sees in those smaller communities. Council Member Burley noted that comments he receives are from members of the disabled community and expressed that there are areas of the city that could use some accessibility improvements. General discussion was held on direct access transportation routes (buses, etc.) and how they operate compared to a city's population. 2) Current State of Mobility in Hutchinson Mr. Jaunich explained that the city has over 90 miles of streets, over six miles of alleys, roughly 38 miles of city trails with six pedestrian bridges & underpasses, approximately 33 miles of city sidewalks, seven bridges, 12 municipal parking lots with 543 parking spaces, and 31 acres of city facility -related parking lots & driveways. Public transit is provided by Trailblazer Transit. The city has a municipal airport with a 4000' X 75' runway and multiple hangars. The city has no rail system. The City is a silver designated Bicycle Friendly Community and has a Pavement Condition Index rating of 75 on a 1-100 scale. The City adopted a Complete Streets policy in 2015. The policy is a multi -model street planning document. "Complete Streets" are considered streets and transportation corridors that are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrian, bicyclists, motorists and public transportation users of various ages and abilities. The policy is used for designing and constructing transportation projects. "Intended users" are not only motorists, but also pedestrians, bicyclists, users of mass transit, people with disabilities, the elderly and the young, freight providers, emergency responders and adjacent property owners. Benefits of the policy include recognizing safety risks posed to road users of multi -modal transportation and seeking to address those issues by providing adequate travel ways for all users; accommodating approximately 40% of Minnesotans who do not drive; increasing access to alternate means of travel, especially biking and walking that help reduce obesity rates and improve the overall health of individuals; community and economic development benefits of having "walkable" neighborhoods; cost effectiveness in that there is no need to retrofit for future pedestrian needs and maintenance costs are decreased with narrow roads; having alternate transportation options reduces the need for an auto -only transportation system; and having a policy is one of the steps required in the Green Steps Cities Program. Council Member Czmowski expressed that he thinks the Complete Streets Policy is a great tool. Council Member May agreed. 3) Current Challenges/Barriers to Mobility Mr. Jaunich reviewed some current challenges/barriers to mobility throughout the city which include increased costs of infrastructure, funding restrictions, funding of future expansions and timing of needs. Other barriers could include not having a rail system and not having a four -lane highway coming into Hutchinson. 4) The Vision/Future of Mobility within the Community for the Years to Come Mr. Jaunich noted that staff has developed future ideas for the vision of mobility within the community. These ideas include: updating the 2012 Transportation Plan; updating the 2016 Safe Routes to School Plan; finishing the 2022 Sidewalk and Trail Plan; commissioning a small study on the connectivity of Bridgewater Estates (east -west corridors as well as north -south, including sidewalks and trails) and other housing development areas that come along; studying/discussing impacts of the 212 corridor plan on both Hwy 22 as well as Hwy 15; determining the City's stance on the Dakota Rail Trail and South Grade Road/115 Trail project extensions; preparing for driverless and electric vehicles; developing/fortifying the City's Trail Maintenance Plan; preparing City facilities parking lot and service road plan; and reviewing ADA compliance city-wide. The Council expressed the importance of completing a connection from Hwy 212 to Hwy 22. The Council also discussed perhaps some importance on trail extensions of the Dakota Rail Trail and 115 Trail project which are both outside city limits. Council Member Czmowski noted that having a meeting with County Commissioners on trail extension projects and other transportation/mobility projects would be a good idea. Increasing the number of electric car charging stations could be explored. 5) Questions/Conversations/Developing Ideas and/or Directions Council Member May expressed that he feels Hwy 22 improvements should be a priority and be an actionable item for 2025. 6) Next Steps/Action Items/Developing a Plan Mayor Forcier agreed that a Hwy 22/Hwy 212 connection should be a priority and a meeting/communication with the McLeod County Commissioners on that topic and perhaps Dakota Rail Trail extension should be held. Mr. Jaunich suggested holding a meeting in January 2025 after the election. Motion by May, second by Czmowski, to adjourn at 5:10 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.